I had to go to Bend and help my mother with some chores and projects.
But, I wanted a little something more! Something to connect me to the way back spirit me.

Credit: survival

It took about 2.5 seconds for the Grinch to respond when I asked him to climb Squaw Rock with me. He is a major big shot in Portland construction and it's not easy for him to get away.

Well, for us old timers, it was a crossed T, a dotted i.
Scott and I started climbing together at Smith Rocks in the days of goldline rope, before the days of Alan Watts and the sport clipping revolution.

We had been talking about hiking to, and climbing Squaw Rock since before Christ was a Corporal.
There it is in the waaay distance.

Credit: survival

Getting closer already!

Credit: survival

Scott was my first REAL partner, who was willing to tackle something beyond ourselves, in about 1976.
Climbing is so great, because it makes it easy to want to spend time with a brother 35 years later.

Credit: survival

Since the main crags at Smith Rocks got really "popular" in the early/mid 80's, one of my main goals in life has been to be AWAY from the zoo aspect. Scott feels the same, so talking him into something FAR away was a no brainer for me.
Well, we got what we asked for in the far away category......

Credit: survival

You know my M.O., I will be posting a lot of pics in a moment, after I deal with a couple family issues.

I've only seen those fins on the skyline from below and far away, as points to muse over. It's great to get a tour out there from a guide who has earned the privilege to go off trail. Through the photos I get to see the ground up close and look back from distance to the main area. Oplopanax' post did the same for the distance between NOW and THEN.